Bismuth telluride is a layered material with promising thermoelectric properties, but current production methods are inefficient and costly. Dr. Hung-Ta Wang has developed a novel exfoliation process using ionic liquids to efficiently produce 2D bismuth telluride sheets at an industrial scale. This low-cost method allows for easy deposition of the exfoliated bismuth telluride onto substrates, addressing key challenges in widespread adoption of thermoelectric generators. Dr. Wang is an associate professor with over 50 publications and 1 patent application focused on materials for energy applications.

1. UAIPD13-0004
“Novel Exfoliation Process for Bismuth Telluride”
Dr. Hung-Ta Wang

2. Current Problems
• Thermoelectric generators are used to recover heat
from heat engines.
– These materials utilize temperature gradient to effectively
convert waste heat into electricity.
• No widespread adoption due to inability to
efficiently manipulate low quality, difficult to capture
heat (T<200oC)
• Also there is lack of practical, cost-effective method
to make thermoelectric devices

3. • Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) is
layered material with
exceptional thermoelectric
properties.
• Developed reliable and
effective method for industrial
scale production of 2D Bi2Te3
– Convenient, cost effective route
• Method also allows for easy
deposit of this 2D material
onto a substrate
Technology
Before and after exfoliation of Bi2Te3
in ionic liquid

4. • Dr. Hung-Ta Wang
– Associate Professor
– Over 50 Publications
– 1 patent application
• Departments
– Chemical and Biological Engineering
– Center for Materials for Information Technologies
Inventor

5. Office for Technology Transfer
720 2nd Ct E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
UAIPD13-0004
OTT@UA.edu
www.OTT.UA.edu